Mitch McGary out indefinitely following back surgery

The University of Michigan men’s basketball coach John Beilein announced today that sophomore forward Mitch McGary will be out indefinitely after he elected to have back surgery. There is no timetable for McGary’s return, but the medical staff expects him to make a full recovery.
“My back problems have been a daily challenge ever since late August,” said McGary. “We have worked hard rehabbing the injury and I thought that everything was proceeding in the right direction until the last two weeks. I have consulted with my family, my coaches and our doctors and decided the best option now is to have surgery. This was a difficult decision to make because I want to be out there with my teammates. At the same time, I need to be healthy to give everything I can on the court and help my team.” (Fansided)

While the school medical staff expects McGary to make a full recovery, it’s reasonable to question whether the 6-foot-10, 265-pound forward will play again this season. Sources told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman that its highly unlikely McGary will return in 2013-14.

Over eight games this season, McGary – who missed Michigan’s first two games and the most recent one, a 68-65 neutral-court win over Stanford – averaged 9.5 points and 8.3 rebounds while playing at less than full strength. Had he decided to leave school after his NCAA tournament breakout, McGary likely would have been a first-round draft pick. DraftExpress projects McGary to be a first-round pick in 2014, but this injury could dent his draft stock. (Sports Illustrated)

McGary was a projected lottery pick in the 2013 NBA Draft after the freshman averaged 14.3 points and 10.7 rebounds for the national runners-up. He instead returned to school only to see his numbers dip somewhat to 9.5 points and 8.3 boards in eight games with the Wolverines this season.

The back issues haven’t only hampered McGary’s college career, though, as Goodman is also reporting that several NBA executives are concerned about the lingering issue. (CBS Sports)